My Florence experience

Advantages: Must-go Italian city
Disadvantages: No

...In my last trip to Italy, I stayed in Florence for one and a half day. Let me share with you my fantastic experience of Florence. Florence is the cultural capital in the medieval time, and the key player in the Renaissance movement. A small city it seems, but the home of some of the most famous people in history-Michaelanglo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo etc, just to name a few. Again with narrow streets and allys, our first stop was a demonstration of leather. Italian/Florentine leather is world famous and shops selling leather cloths and accessories are everywhere. Obviously, I didn't leave without getting some goods myself. After that, we had a walking tour with a local guide. Best known of all Florence's treasures is the Ponte Vecchio. This glorious bridge was the only one spared by the German attacks in the second World...

medgenie 29.06.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Florence (Italy)

Fabulous Florence

Advantages: Beauty. History, Culture. Good food and wine
Disadvantages: Expensive. Crowded with tourists.

...When it comes to architectural grandeur and art treasures few cities on earth can stand comparison with Florence - the Tuscan city that pioneered the renaissance in Medieval Europe.It is truly a beautiful city with few equals even in Italy. Founded by the Romans in the 1st century, Florence did not expand significantly until Carolingian days, but between the 12th and 15th centuries it became the greatest cultural center in Europe; some might suggest it became the hub of the universe, not only producing magnificient architecture and countless art treasures but forming ideas that form the basis of even 20th century thought. Florence spreads itself along both banks of the River Arno and is surrounded by hills. Anatole France once wrote, "... The God who made the hills of Florence was an artist." It seems the proud people of this...

ashford 09.08.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Florence (Italy)

FLORENCE - Magic, in a Roundabout Way

Advantages: More art than you can wave a brush at
Disadvantages: The crowds...oh, and the crowds

...I had read so many guidebooks, online guides and reviews about Florence, that I wasn't sure I actually needed to visit in person. However, since we were in Tuscany anyway, and the hotel we were staying in was a mere 40km distant, I though it would be somewhat amiss not to see the city and all its glories. Florence is a dream destination for art-lovers - some of the planet's most famous works of art jostle for position in some of the greatest galleries of the world. I'd like to tell you a bit about some of these treasures, but I'm not going to. Not because I don't want to, but because I can't. I didn't see any! I'm afraid I wasn't willing to queue in blazing sunshine and temperatures in the mid-30's just to see some old paintings. Call me uncouth and uncultured if you will, just don't call me at 3am! So, if you're looking...

proxam 06.02.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Florence (Italy)

One Day In Florence

Advantages: A must-see when in Italy.
Disadvantages: Other tourists know that, too.

...Are you really crazy about the art from the 13th to the 17th century? Must you see Gothic altar pieces, world famous Renaissance pictures, Flemish, French and German masters of the Baroque? If so, you *must* go to the Uffizi, of course. But certainly you don’t want to wait half a day to get in, you’ve got better things to do! Call the following number (from abroad): 0039/055294883, every day except Monday (on Mondays ALL museums are closed!) from 8.30 am to 9 pm, you’ll get the Florence museum service and can order a ticket in advance. When you’re there you can go to a special entrance for pre-booked tickets. If you haven’t been to Florence yet, you don’t know how valuable that advice is! The last time I was there, I was at the entrance at 9 am expecting a handful of tourists. Who wants to get...

MALU 27.02.2003 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Florence (Italy)

A garden in the Centre of Florence

Advantages: an excellent garden
Disadvantages: The furniture of the rooms coul be better, no restaurant

...Hotel Castri Piazza Indipendenza, 7 50129 Firenze ph. ++39-55-496412 fax ++39-55-475602 e-mail info@hotelcastri.com For your holidays, if you choose Florence in Italy you have a lot of offers, this is one of that which the value for money is quite good. The location is in the historical centre of Florence very close to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo, facing Piazza Indipendenza. The building was done around 1860 during that period Florence was capitol of Italy, the inside of the building had the last renewal in 2002, offering almost all the modern standards. The Hotel Castri is a three stars hotel, with no restaurant, 70 rooms, all with en suite facilities, TVcolor, direct telephone,air conditioning/heating, smoke and fire detector. The best part of the hotel is the garden of 1,000 square meters...

taisu 26.12.2005 (30.12.2005) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Castri, Florence

hotel athenaeum, florence

Advantages: clean, comfortable, good value, well located hotel
Disadvantages: breakfast could be improved, no bath in some if not all rooms

...We recently stayed at the athenaeum during our visit to Florence in March 2007. having booked a flight and hotel deal through expedia for £140pp for 2 nights, we were surprised at the bargain price for a 4 star rated hotel. on expedia.co.uk, it says that the hotel is well located, within walking distance of all the major attractions of florence. On first entering the hotel, the first thing you notice is the lovely sheek modern interior, then you're greeted by the very friendly staff. First impressions were good. They were knowledgable about the local attractions and also well equipped with information about location transport links The room we were given was a standard double, although the bed provided was a combination of 2 singles put together, the combined size was equivalent to a uk "king size" so not too many complaints...

happysacs82 19.04.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Hotel Athenaeum, Florence

Florence - city of beauty

Advantages: Truly beautiful and the most Romantic place one can ever hope to visit
Disadvantages: Expensive in parts - caution is necessary over pickpockets as well sadly

...Florence is truly one of the cities that everyone should visit if they ever get the chance, or are anywhere close by. It is easily accessible if one is near the port of Livorno, and makes for a far more interesting and exciting day out than the alternative town that one can visit from this location, Pisa. The Statue of David by Michaelangelo is one of the most famous statues in the world, and there are various fakes adorning the town. The shops are worth a look even if one is only window-shopping ? there is a great selection of all the big name designers from around the globe. There are some interesting restaurants dotted around as well ? the town really is fun to explore. Besides the other sights there is the bridge over the river which offers some jewellery shops ? and some more jewellery shops!...

BIGHORSE 02.08.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Florence (Italy)

Hostel Archi Rossi - Florence on a budget

Advantages: Clean, budget
Disadvantages: Noisy

...internet access per day. I booked on their website with my credit card, although they were happy for me to pay the second night by cash is I preferred. The hostel is located 5 minutes walk from the main train station and about 10-15 minutes walk from the Duomo and the city centre. My main problem with this hostel was the noise - the people were not necessarily noisy but the floors were stone and the doors heavy and wooden so it was difficult to settle at night with people coming and going in neighbouring rooms. http://www.hostelarchirossi.com/...

Essexgirl2006 09.06.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Ostello Archi Rossi, Florence

Time Out - Florence and Tuscany

Advantages: well written, useful
Disadvantages: a bit expensive.

...This Time Out guide was by far the most useful travel guide I had seen for Florence. It contains information that one would expect in a travel guide, namely places to stay, eat and entertain oneself, but it is particularly strong on the background information, historical notes, which are particularly useful in somewhere like florence Most importantly, for me, anyhow, is that is it written in an accessible manner and does not assume that you know a great deal about Renaissance Art, for example, but even if you do, some of the information is a little quirky. I know quirky guide books can be a bit annoying to some people, so it is, as with all things, a matter of personal preference. It isn't just geared to the young student on a budget type of person, but includes some of the classier/more expensive options. As a guidebook...

womble 10.08.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Florence

Falling for Florence

Advantages: Culture, Sights
Disadvantages: Quite expensive

...Florence, Italy by the Seat of Your Underpants by kifwebe | Jul 29 '00 (Updated Jan 02 '01) Pros: Awesome history, food, surrounding countryside, street performers, and museums. Cons: You could end up in your underwear! Recommended: Yes Florence is a wonderful city, well deserving of its title as a mandatory tourist stop for those exploring Italy. Known in Italy as Firenze, its Catedral Duomo is unparalleled in its exterior beauty (its interior is somewhat unspectacular in comparison to others I saw throughout Europe), its Ponte Vecchio rich in history and one of the city's most well known landmarks, and its museums hold a wealth of masterpieces from Italy's best known painters and sculptors. Florence by night is quite a different experience than it is prior to sunset. The wonderful markets which line the streets...

m_kingdom 08.06.2002 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Florence (Italy)